The streets of Matta tehsil echoed with slogans of “we want peace” on Friday as hundreds of people from different parts of Swat took to the streets against the recent wave of militancy in the valley..
A considerable number of elders, youth, and political activists gathered at Matta Chowk, near the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM house, on Friday demanding peace from the state.
The rally was organised by Swat Olasi Pasoon and Swat Quami Jirga against terrorism, the closure of the internet, and the pelting of stones by unidentified persons at houses at night.
PTM head Manzoor Pashteen, MNA Mohsin Dawar, PkMAP leader Mukhtiar Yousafzai, ANP’s Ayoub Asharey, PPP leader Dr Amjad and local elders addressed the rally. The speakers said that the return of militants in Swat, despite the presence of a significant number of security forces personnel raised questions.
“The 2022 Swat is different than the 2007 Swat as we will no more be deceived by the fake slogans raised by the militants in 2007. This time we will not [just] condemn terrorists’ activities, but we will resist them,” said Dr Amjad, the local leader of the PPP.
The speakers mentioned that for the last 20 days, unidentified people threw stones at their houses in different Matta tehsil villages at night, which was condemnable.
“Ironically, despite the presence of law enforcement agencies in their villages, miscreants manage to enter our villages, throw stones at our houses at midnight, and then easily go back,” said PkMAP spokesperson Mukhtiar Yousafzai, adding that if the law enforcement agencies failed to arrest the miscreants, they would be dealt with “with iron hands” by local residents.
